Flexible frame for bicycle and the like
One aspect of the present invention is comprised of a flexible rear frame member for a bicycle or velocipede. Other embodiments of the invention also include one or more assemblies, such as a rear wheel assembly, a seat assembly, a crank assembly, and strut members, which are adapted to be attached to the flexible rear frame member. A second aspect is a flexible front frame member, which may be pivotally attached to the flexible rear frame member. Other embodiments of this second aspect of the invention may also include one or more assemblies, such as a front wheel assembly and front strut members, which are adapted to be attached to the flexible front frame member. In some embodiments of the invention, the flexible rear frame member and the flexible front frame member, along with their respective assemblies, may together comprise a bicycle or velocipede.
The present invention generally relates to a bicycle or velocipede and its component parts, and more specifically to flexible frame members and modularized assemblies, such as a front wheel assembly, a rear wheel assembly, a seat assembly, a crank assembly, and strut members, which are adapted to be attached to and operate as a part of such flexible frame members, wherein the flexible frame members and such modularized assemblies may together comprise a bicycle or velocipede.
There currently exist many bicycle-type devices in the relevant art. Many of these bicycles have frames that are designed to have a high degree of strength and stiffness. Other types of bicycles have frames that are designed to have some degree of flexibility. Usually, the flexible component of such frames exists for the purpose of dampening shocks that occur as the bicycle is ridden over rough terrain, providing a smoother ride for the bicycle operator. These types of bicycles are typically comprised of a combination of relatively stiff components and relatively flexible components connected by pins, levers, and springs. Nevertheless, with few exceptions, bicycles that are ridden in the traditional manner in which the operator sits in an upright position generally tend to have a triangular-shaped frame that is the same in appearance from bicycle to bicycle.
There are, however, persons who prefer to ride bicycles having a unique appearance. For example, it may be desirable to ride a bicycle having a frame with a shape different from that of the standard triangle shape. It may also be desirable for the frame to have an artistic appearance that is aesthetically pleasing. In addition, it may be desirable to have a bicycle that has a frame that is comprised almost entirely of flexible components. This may also be the case where a person desires to ride a bicycle that is different from the type normally ridden by others. This may also be the case where the bicycle operator desires as smooth a ride as possible while riding the bicycle over any surface that is not smooth. In such cases, however, the bicycle must also have means to provide the level of support necessary to support the bicycle, its constituent components, and its operator. In addition, it may be desirable to have a bicycle designed to be inherently flexible to prevent breakage with stiffness added where necessary to provide required support, rather than a bicycle designed to be inherently rigid with additional flexibility added to prevent breakage and provide necessary flexure. It may also be desirable that the bicycle frame have the appearance of natural flexibility, rather than being comprised of naturally inflexible components that are joined together in an aesthetically awkward manner to provide flexibility.
In addition, it is also desirable to have a bicycle that has modularized components that are simple in construction and standard in form from bicycle to bicycle. This modularization would provide for simple and fast bicycle fabrication, reducing the cost of such fabrication. It would also reduce the time and expense required to repair the bicycle and change modular components, and provide a means to easily remove components for ease of transportation and storage. Many conventional bicycles do not possess these features.
SUMMARYThe present invention is directed to flexible members comprising a bicycle frame, and certain constituent assemblies that attach to the frame, that meet the needs discussed above in the Background section. As described in greater detail below, the present invention, when used for its intended purposes, has many advantages over other devices known in the art, as well as novel features that result in new bicycle frame members and component assemblies that are not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any prior art devices, either alone or in any combination thereof.
A first version of the present invention generally discloses a first aspect of a bicycle frame comprised of a rear frame member, which is further comprised of a rear frame head portion, a downward frame portion, a distal frame portion, and a top frame portion. In some embodiments of this aspect of the first version of the invention, the rear frame head portion may be located adjacent to the steering mechanism of the bicycle. The downward frame portion extends generally downwardly in a rearward direction from the rear frame head portion to the position of a crank assembly, which is described in more detail below. The distal frame portion extends in a rearward direction from the position of the crank assembly and is bifurcated into two rear parallel portions rearward of the position of the crank assembly to permit a rear bicycle wheel to fit between them. It is to be noted that by use of the term “parallel” to describe the two rear parallel portions, it is intended that they may generally mirror one another in shape and need not necessarily be spaced an equal distance apart. The two rear parallel portions extend rearwardly from the position of the crank assembly, then upwardly, and then forwardly, where they are joined together into a single portion, which extends forwardly to the position of a seat assembly, which is described in more detail below. In some embodiments of this first version of the invention, the distal frame portion generally circumscribes an arc. In other embodiments, the distal frame portion extends rearwardly and upwardly to a point, from which point the distal frame portion extends upwardly and forwardly to the seat assembly, such portions of the distal frame portion forming an angle of less than 90 degrees at such point. The top frame portion generally extends forwardly from the position of the seat assembly to the rear frame head portion.
In some embodiments of this first aspect of the first version of the invention, the rear frame head portion, the downward frame portion, the distal frame portion, and the top frame portion are comprised of materials from the group consisting of flexible materials, semi-rigid materials, and combinations of such materials. In some of these embodiments the rear frame head portion, the downward frame portion, the distal frame portion, and the top frame portion are comprised of titanium, steel, steel alloys, or aluminum. In yet other embodiments, the rear frame head portion, the downward frame portion, the distal frame portion, and the top frame portion are comprised of a carbon-based composite material. In other embodiments, the rear frame head portion, the downward frame portion, the distal frame portion, and the top frame portion are comprised of a wood laminate. In other embodiments, the rear frame head portion, the downward frame portion, the distal frame portion, and the top frame portion are comprised of carbon fiber composites, steel, steel alloys, aluminum, titanium, fiberglass, plastic, rubber, or wood or laminates or any combinations of the same. In still other embodiments, the rear frame head portion, the downward frame portion, the distal frame portion, and the top frame portion each have a cross section shaped as a circle or an ellipse, or a square, a rectangle, a parallelogram, a trapezoid, or a variation thereof having one or more concave or convex arched surfaces, or any combination of one or more of all such shapes.
In some embodiments of this first aspect of the first version of the invention, the rear frame member further comprises a crank assembly and crank assembly attachment means to attach the crank assembly to the rear frame member at the position of the crank assembly on the downward frame portion of the rear frame member where it meets the distal frame portion of the rear frame member. In some of these embodiments, the crank assembly is comprised of a top crank bracket approximating a U-shape, a cylindrical tubular member, and crank bracket/tube attachment means to connect the tubular member to the top bracket. In some of these embodiments, the crank assembly is further comprised of at least two bail members, at least one bottom plate, and bail attachment means to attach the at least two bail members to the bottom plate. In these embodiments, the crank assembly attachment means is comprised of the at least two bail members being placed over the tubular member and being secured to the bottom plate by the bail attachment means in a manner so that the downward frame portion is held between the top crank bracket and the bottom plate. In other embodiments, the downward frame portion has at least one pin and the top crank bracket has the same number of holes as the number of such at least one pin and the holes receive the at least one pin to hold the crank assembly in place relative to the downward frame portion. In yet other embodiments, the top crank bracket has at least one pin and the downward frame portion has the same number of holes as the number of such at least one pin and the holes receive the at least one pin to hold the crank assembly in place relative to the downward frame portion. In still other embodiments, the crank assembly further comprises a strip member and means to attach the strip member to the downward frame portion, wherein the strip member and the surface of the top crank bracket have a pattern of corresponding indentations to hold the crank assembly in place relative to the downward frame portion. In further embodiments, the crank assembly attachment means is comprised of bolts that attach the top crank bracket to the downward frame portion. In yet other embodiments, the crank assembly further comprises a gear drive member and gear drive member attachment means to attach the gear drive member to the cylindrical tubular member. In some embodiments, the gear drive member is further comprised of a crank shaft, two pedal members, and a chain drive member, wherein the chain drive member is attached to the rear wheel assembly to provide power to rotate the rear bicycle wheel portion of the rear wheel assembly, as described in more detail below. In some embodiments the crank assembly may be mounted upside down below the downward frame portion rather than above the downward frame portion. In other embodiments, the means of connecting the crank assembly to the rear frame member, such as the top crank bracket, may be comprised of a similar bracket laminated or molded into the rear frame member as a part thereof.
In some embodiments of this first aspect of the first version of the invention, the rear frame member further comprises a rear wheel assembly and rear wheel assembly attachment means to attach the rear wheel assembly to the rearwardly extending portion of the rear parallel portions of the distal frame portion of the rear frame member. In some of these embodiments, the rear wheel assembly is comprised of at least two rear wheel assembly clamp members, a cylindrical rear wheel axle member, a rear bicycle wheel, rear wheel mounting means to rotationally mount the rear bicycle wheel on the rear wheel axle member, and rear wheel axle attachment means to connect the rear wheel axle member to the at least two rear wheel assembly clamp members. In such embodiments, each of the at least two rear wheel assembly clamp members are attached to one of the rear parallel portions of the distal frame portion on opposite sides of the rear bicycle wheel, and the rear wheel axle member has two ends and extends between the at least two rear wheel assembly clamp members. In some of these embodiments, the at least two rear wheel clamp members are each comprised of a rear wheel assembly outer plate, a rear wheel assembly inner plate, and rear wheel clamp attachment means to connect the rear wheel assembly outer plate to the rear wheel assembly inner plate in a manner so that the rear parallel portion is held in place by the rear wheel assembly inner plate and the rear wheel assembly outer plate. In these embodiments, the rear wheel assembly outer plate is comprised of a first outer vertical plate portion having a flat surface, a second outer vertical plate portion having a flat surface parallel to the first outer vertical plate portion, and a horizontal outer plate portion extending perpendicular from the flat surface at one end of the first outer vertical plate portion to the flat surface at one end of the second outer vertical plate portion. This creates an approximately U-shaped rear wheel assembly outer plate, with the outer horizontal plate portion having a flat interior surface. In these embodiments, the rear wheel assembly inner plate is comprised of an inner vertical plate portion having a flat surface and a horizontal inner plate portion extending perpendicular from the flat surface at one end of the first inner vertical plate portion creating an approximately L-shaped member, wherein the exterior surface of the horizontal inner plate portion is flat. In these embodiments, when the rear wheel assembly inner plate is attached to the rear wheel assembly outer plate using the rear wheel clamp attachment means, the flat surface of the first outer vertical plate portion is placed adjacent to the flat surface of the inner vertical plate portion and the flat interior surface of the horizontal outer plate portion and the flat exterior surface of the horizontal inner plate are placed adjacent to the rear parallel portion of the distal frame portion to which the rear wheel clamp member is attached so that the rear parallel portion is held in place frictionally by the rear wheel assembly inner plate and the rear wheel assembly outer plate. In some of these embodiments, each rear parallel portion of the distal frame portion has at least two pins and the rear wheel assembly clamp member has the same number of holes as the number of such pins and the holes receive the pins to hold the rear wheel assembly in place relative to the rear parallel portion. In other embodiments, the rear wheel assembly clamp member has at least one pin and each rear parallel portion of the distal frame portion has the same number of holes as the number of such at least one pin and the holes receive the at least one pin to hold the rear wheel assembly in place relative to the rear parallel portion. In yet other embodiments, the means of connecting the rear wheel assembly to the rear frame member, such as the rear wheel assembly clamp members, may be comprised of a similar member laminated or molded into the rear frame member as a part thereof. In some embodiments, the rear wheel assembly further comprises at least one disc brake member and disc brake attachment means to attach the at least one disc brake member to one or more of the at least two rear wheel assembly clamp members. In other embodiments, the rear wheel assembly further comprises a gear drive mechanism, which is attached to the chain drive member, providing power to rotate the rear bicycle wheel. In some of these embodiments, the gear drive mechanism is further comprised of at least two gear members, a derailleur member, and a gear control mechanism, wherein the chain drive member may be removably attached to more than one of the at least two gear members by manipulation of the gear control mechanism. In other embodiments, the chain drive is connected to a simple rear sprocket and coaster break rear drive mechanism without provision for multiple gears.
In some embodiments of this first aspect of the first version of the invention, the rear frame member further comprises a seat assembly and seat assembly attachment means to attach the seat assembly to the rear frame member at the position of the seat assembly on the forwardly extending portion of the distal frame portion of the rear frame member where it meets the top frame portion of the rear frame member. In some of these embodiments, the seat assembly is comprised of an approximately U-shaped outer bracket member, an approximately U-shaped inner bracket member, seat bracket connecting means to connect the outer bracket member to the inner bracket member, a seat member, and seat member attachment means to attach the seat member to the outer bracket member. In these embodiments, the internal horizontal surface of the outer bracket member is placed adjacent to the top surface of the distal frame portion, the external horizontal surface of the inner bracket member is placed adjacent to the bottom surface of the distal frame portion, and the seat bracket connecting means connects the outer bracket member to the inner bracket member in a manner so that the portion of the distal frame portion to which the seat assembly is attached is held in place between the outer bracket member and the inner bracket member. In other embodiments, the means of connecting the seat assembly to the rear frame member, such as the inner and outer bracket members, may be comprised of one or more similar members laminated or molded into the rear frame member as a part thereof. In some embodiments, the seat member is comprised of at least two seat rod tube members, seat rod tube attachment means to attach the at least two seat rod tube members to the outer bracket member (which is also the seat member attachment means in these embodiments), a seat post comprised of at least two seat rods, seat post attachment means to slideably attach the at least two seat rods to the at least two seat rod tube members in a manner so that the seat post is supported by the at least two seat rod tube members, a bicycle seat, and bicycle seat attachment means to attach the bicycle seat to the seat post in a manner so that the bicycle seat is supported by the seat post.
In other embodiments of this first aspect of the first version of the invention, the rear frame member is also comprised of at least one rear strut member having a top end and a bottom end, top rear strut connector means to connect the top end of the at least one rear strut member to approximately the seat assembly, and bottom rear strut connector means to connect the bottom end of the at least one rear strut member to approximately the crank assembly. In some of these embodiments, the at least one rear strut member is comprised of a piston tube assembly and a strut shroud member covering the piston tube assembly. In some of these embodiments, the piston tube assembly is comprised of a piston rod member, a piston tube member, a top valve monoblock member, a bottom valve monoblock member, a bottom strut support member, and a rod guide member. In these embodiments, monoblock/piston tube attachment means are used to attach the top valve monoblock member to one end of the piston tube member and to attach the bottom valve monoblock member to the other end of the piston tube member. In addition, in these embodiments, bottom monoblock/support attachment means are used to attach the bottom strut support member to the bottom valve monoblock member and monoblock/guide attachment means are used to attach the rod guide member to the top valve monoblock member. Further, the piston tube assembly is operated by means of air pressure in these embodiments.
In some embodiments of the first version of the invention, the bicycle frame is further comprised of a front bicycle frame portion (which may be the front frame member, as described below) and frame connection means, which are used to pivotally connect the rear frame member to the front bicycle frame portion. The frame connection means of these embodiments, which allows a point of the front bicycle frame portion to pivot about a point on the rear frame member, is described in more detail below. Further, in some of these embodiments, the bicycle frame is further comprised of a steering mechanism, which is described in more detail below.
The first version of the invention also generally discloses a second aspect of the bicycle frame comprising a front frame member. In these embodiments of this second aspect of the first version of the invention, the front frame member further comprises frame connection means to pivotally connect the front frame member to a rear bicycle frame portion, which may be the rear frame member described above in some embodiments. The frame connection means of these embodiments, which allows a point of the front frame member to pivot about a point on the rear frame member, is described in more detail below. In these embodiments, the rear frame head portion is the portion of the rear frame member that is located adjacent to the front frame member so that the front frame member pivots about the distal end of the rear frame head portion. In some embodiments of this second aspect of the first version of the invention, the front frame member is comprised of a front frame head portion and two front parallel portions. In these embodiments, the front frame head portion is the portion of the front frame member that is adjacent to the rear frame head portion in embodiments where the front frame head portion is connected to the rear frame member, so that the rear frame member pivots about the front frame head portion. The front parallel portions generally extend forwardly from the front frame head portion, then downwardly, and then rearwardly, circumscribing an arc until the two front parallel portions are extending approximately rearwardly. The two front parallel portions are separated by a distance adequate to permit a front bicycle wheel to be positioned between them. It is to be noted that by use of the term “parallel” to describe the two front parallel portions, it is intended that they may generally mirror one another in shape and need not necessarily be spaced an equal distance apart. In other embodiments of this second aspect of the first version of the invention, the front frame head portion of the front frame member is comprised of a front top plate member, at least two tubular members, a front bottom plate member, and front head attachment means to attach the front top front plate member to one end of each of the at least two tubular members and to attach the front bottom plate member to the other end of each of the at least two tubular members. In some of these embodiments, the front parallel portions extend from the front top plate member. Further, in some embodiments of this second aspect of the first version of the invention, the bicycle frame is further comprised of a steering mechanism, which is described in more detail below.
In some embodiments of this second aspect of the first version of the invention, the front frame head portion and the two front parallel portions are comprised of materials from the group consisting of flexible materials, semi-rigid materials, and combinations of such materials. Thus, in some embodiments the front frame head portion and the two front parallel portions are comprised of titanium, steel, steel alloys, or aluminum. In other embodiments, the front frame head portion and the two front parallel portions are comprised of a wood laminate. In yet other embodiments, the front frame head portion and the two front parallel portions are comprised of a carbon-based composite material. In still other embodiment, the front frame head portion and the two front parallel portions are comprised of carbon fiber, steel, steel alloys, aluminum, titanium, fiberglass, plastic, rubber, or wood or laminates or any combinations of the same. In still other embodiments, the front frame head portion and the two front parallel portions each have a cross section shaped as a circle or an ellipse, or a square, a rectangle, a parallelogram, a trapezoid, or a variation thereof having one or more concave or convex arched surfaces, or any combination of all such shapes.
In other embodiments of this second aspect of the first version of the invention, the front frame member is further comprised of at least two front strut members, as well as top front strut member connector means to connect each top end of the at least two front strut members to the front frame head portion, and bottom rear strut member connector means to connect each bottom end of the at least two front strut members to approximately the rearwardly extending front parallel portions of the front frame member. In some of these embodiments, at least one of the at least two front strut members is located on each side of the front bicycle wheel. In other embodiments, the front frame member further comprises a stabilizing loop member having two ends and loop attachment means to attach each end of the stabilizing loop member to at least one of the at least two front strut members. In some of these embodiments, the at least two front strut members are each comprised of a piston tube assembly and a strut shroud member covering the piston tube assembly. In some of these embodiments, the piston tube assembly is comprised of a piston rod member, a piston tube member, a top valve monoblock member, a bottom valve monoblock member, a bottom strut support member, and a rod guide member. In these embodiments, monoblock/piston tube attachment means are used to attach the top valve monoblock member to one end of the piston tube member and to attach the bottom valve monoblock member to the other end of the piston tube member. In addition, in these embodiments, bottom monoblock/support attachment means are used to attach the bottom strut support member to the bottom valve monoblock member and monoblock/guide attachment means are used to attach the rod guide member to the top valve monoblock member. Further, in these embodiments, the piston tube assembly is operated by means of air pressure.
In some embodiments of this second aspect of the first version of the invention, the front frame member further comprises a front wheel assembly and front wheel assembly attachment means to attach the front wheel assembly to the rearwardly extending portion of the front parallel portions of the front frame member. In some of these embodiments, the front wheel assembly is comprised of at least two front wheel assembly clamp members, a cylindrical front wheel axle member, a front bicycle wheel, front wheel mounting means to rotationally mount the front bicycle wheel on the front wheel axle member, and front wheel axle attachment means to connect the front wheel axle member to the at least two front wheel assembly clamp members. In such embodiments, each of the at least two front wheel assembly clamp members are attached to one of the rearwardly front parallel portions of the front frame member and the front wheel axle member has two ends and extends between the at least two front wheel assembly clamp members. In some of these embodiments, the at least two front wheel clamp members are each comprised of a front wheel assembly outer plate, a front wheel assembly inner plate, and front wheel clamp attachment means to connect the front wheel assembly outer plate to the front wheel assembly inner plate in a manner so that the front parallel portion is held in place by the front wheel assembly inner plate and the front wheel assembly outer plate. In these embodiments, the front wheel assembly outer plate is comprised of a first outer vertical plate portion having a flat surface, a second outer vertical plate portion having a flat surface parallel to the first outer vertical plate portion, and a horizontal outer plate portion extending perpendicular from the flat surface at one end of the first outer vertical plate portion to the flat surface at one end of the second outer vertical plate portion. This creates an approximately U-shaped front wheel assembly outer plate, with the outer horizontal plate portion having a flat interior surface. In these embodiments, the front wheel assembly inner plate is comprised of an inner vertical plate portion having a flat surface and a horizontal inner plate portion extending perpendicular from the flat surface at one end of the first inner vertical plate portion creating an approximately L-shaped member, wherein the exterior surface of the horizontal inner plate portion is flat. When the front wheel assembly inner plate is attached to the front wheel assembly outer plate using the front wheel clamp attachment means, the flat surface of the first outer vertical plate portion is placed adjacent to the flat surface of the inner vertical plate portion and the flat interior surface of the horizontal outer plate portion and the flat exterior surface of the horizontal inner plate portion are placed adjacent to the front parallel portion of the front frame member to which the front wheel clamp member is attached so that the front parallel portion is held in place by the front wheel assembly inner plate and the front wheel assembly outer plate. In some of these embodiments, each front parallel portion of the front frame member has at least two pins and the front wheel assembly clamp member has the same number of holes as the number of such pins and the holes receive the pins to hold the front wheel assembly in place relative to the front parallel portion. In other embodiments, the front wheel assembly clamp member has at least one pin and each front parallel portion of the front frame member has the same number of holes as the number of such at least one pin and the holes receive the at least one pin to hold the front wheel assembly in place relative to the front parallel portion. In still other embodiments, the front wheel assembly further comprises a strip member and means to attach the strip member to the downward frame portion, wherein the strip member and the surface of the front wheel bracket have a pattern of corresponding indentations to hold the front wheel assembly in place relative to the downward frame portion. In some embodiments, the front wheel assembly further comprises at least one disc brake member and disc brake attachment means to attach the at least one disc brake member to one or more of the at least two front wheel assembly clamp members.
In some embodiments of this first version of the invention, the frame attachment means is comprised of a frame attachment tubular member, which is attached to the front frame head portion by upper and lower bolt and spacer means, wherein the frame attachment tubular member is adapted to be disposed within a cylindrical portion positioned at the distal end of the rear frame head portion so that the frame attachment tubular member rotates within the cylindrical portion. In these embodiments, the steering mechanism is comprised of such frame attachment tubular member and upper and lower bolt and spacer means. In some embodiments, the steering mechanism is further comprised of conventional bicycle handlebars that are attached to the frame attachment tubular member using conventional means well known in the relevant art. Other attachment means, such as that used with conventional front bicycle forks, may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the cylindrical portion at the distal end of the rear frame head portion may further comprise a bracket member, wherein the bracket member is attached to the remaining portion of the rear frame head member using front head member bracket attachment means, such as nut, bolt and lock washer combinations, adhesives, epoxies, pins, screws, rivets or similar attachment means or combinations of all such means. In other embodiments, the cylindrical portion may be molded into the rear frame head portion as a part thereof.
In a second version of the invention, the bicycle frame is comprised of a rear frame member, which is further comprised of a rear frame head portion, a downward frame portion, a distal frame portion, a rising frame portion, and a top frame portion. In some embodiments of this second version of the invention, the rear frame head member may be located adjacent to the steering mechanism of the bicycle. The downward frame portion extends generally downwardly in a rearward direction from the rear frame head portion to the position of a crank assembly, which is described in more detail below. The distal frame portion extends in a rearward direction from the position of the crank assembly and is bifurcated into two rear parallel portions rearward of the position of the crank assembly to permit a rear bicycle wheel to fit between them. The two rear parallel portions extend approximately rearwardly from the position of the crank assembly a distance adequate to mount a rear bicycle wheel between the rear parallel portions. It is to be noted that by use of the term “parallel” to describe the two rear parallel portions, it is intended that they may generally mirror one another in shape and need not necessarily be spaced an equal distance apart. The rising frame portion extends from approximately the position of the crank assembly approximately upwardly and forwardly and then approximately upwardly and rearwardly circumscribing an arc until the rising frame portion is extending upwardly and rearwardly to approximately the position of a seat assembly. In some embodiments, the rising frame portion is further comprised of a rising frame member, a lower rising frame bracket member, lower rising member attachment means to attach the lower rising frame bracket member to one end of the rising frame member, an upper rising frame bracket member, and upper rising member attachment means to attach the upper rising frame bracket member to the other end of the rising frame member. The top frame portion generally extends rearwardly from the rear frame head portion to a position rearward of the position of the seat assembly, so that the top frame portion and the rising frame portion join at a point approximately in the position of the seat assembly and form an angle of less than 90 degrees at such point. In various embodiments of the second version of the invention, the rear frame head portion, the downward frame portion, the distal frame portion, the rising frame portion, and the top frame portion may be comprised of the same materials and combinations of materials, and may have the same cross sectional shapes and combinations of shapes, as for portions comprising the rear frame member in the first version of the invention.
In some embodiments of this second version of the invention, the rear frame member further comprises a crank assembly and crank assembly attachment means to attach the crank assembly to the rear frame member at the position of the crank assembly on the downward frame portion of the rear frame member where it meets the distal frame portion. In some of these embodiments, the crank assembly is essentially the same in structure as the crank assembly described above in connection with the first version of the invention, except that lower rising portion connection means are used to connect the rising frame portion to the crank assembly. In embodiments where the rising frame portion is comprised of a lower rising frame bracket, the preferred lower rising portion connection means is a cotter pin used to connect the lower rising frame bracket to the crank assembly. In other embodiments, the crank assembly may be comprised of a plastic or metal casting of similar shape and size laminated or molded into the rear frame member as a part thereof.
In some embodiments of this second version of the invention, the rear frame member further comprises a rear wheel assembly and rear wheel assembly attachment means to attach the rear wheel assembly to the rearwardly extending portion of the rear parallel portions of the distal frame portion of the rear frame member. In some of these embodiments, the rear wheel assembly has the same structure and operation as the rear wheel assembly described above in connection with the first version of the invention, except that in some embodiments the rear wheel assembly is also comprised of bottom rear strut member connector means to connect the bottom end of at least two rear strut members to the rear wheel assembly, as described in more detail below. The preferred bottom rear strut member connector means is a pin or similar connector used to connect the bottom of the rear strut member to the rear wheel clamp assembly. In other embodiments, the rear wheel assembly may be comprised of a similar bracket laminated or molded into the rear frame member as a part thereof.
In some embodiments of this second version of the invention, the rear frame member further comprises a seat assembly and seat assembly attachment means to attach the seat assembly to the rear frame member at the position of the seat assembly on the rearward portion of the top frame portion of the rear frame member. In some of these embodiments, the seat assembly has the same structure and operation as the seat assembly described above in connection with the first version of the invention, except that upper rising portion connection means are used to connect the rising frame portion to the seat assembly. In embodiments where the rising frame portion is comprised of an upper rising frame bracket, the preferred upper rising portion connection means is a cotter pin used to connect the upper rising frame bracket to the seat assembly. In other embodiments, the seat assembly may be comprised of a similar bracket molded into the rear frame member as a part thereof.
In other embodiments of this second version of the invention, the rear frame member is further comprised of at least two rear strut members, as well as top rear strut member connector means to connect each top end of the at least two rear strut members to the seat assembly (as described in more detail below), and bottom rear strut member connector means to connect each bottom end of the at least two rear strut members to approximately the rearwardly extending rear parallel portions of the distal frame portion of the rear frame member in some embodiments, and to the rear wheel assembly in other embodiments. In some of these embodiments, at least one of the at least two rear strut members is located on each side of the rear bicycle wheel. In other embodiments, the rear frame member further comprises a stabilizing loop member having two ends and loop attachment means to attach each end of the stabilizing loop member to at least one of the at least two rear strut members. In some of these embodiments, the at least two rear strut members are each comprised of a piston tube assembly and a strut shroud member covering the piston tube assembly. In some of these embodiments, the piston tube assembly is constructed and operated substantially the same as for the piston tube assemblies described above in relation to the first version of the invention.
In some embodiments of this second version of the invention, the bicycle frame is further comprised of a front bicycle frame portion (which may be the front frame member, as described below) and frame connection means, which are used to pivotally connect the rear frame member to the front bicycle frame portion. The frame connection means of these embodiments, which allows a point of the front bicycle frame portion to pivot about a point on the rear frame member, may have substantially the same structure, features and operation as described above in connection with the first version of the invention. Further, in some of these embodiments, the bicycle frame is further comprised of a steering mechanism, which may have substantially the same structure, features and operation as described above in connection with the first version of the invention. In other embodiments of this second version of the invention, the bicycle frame is further comprised of a front frame member and frame connection means to pivotally connect the rear frame member to the front frame member. In these embodiments, the front frame member and the frame connection means of the second version of the invention have substantially the same structure, features and operation as the front frame member and the frame connection means described above in connection with the first version of the invention.
The bicycle frame of the present invention therefore meets the needs described above in the Background section. For example, it provides a flexible frame having a unique and unusual appearance that is aesthetically pleasing. In addition, the modularized assemblies are interchangeable in some embodiments, making manufacture easier, and therefore less expensive. Further, the modular assemblies may be easily removed from the flexible frame members in some embodiments, making repair and replacement of the modular assemblies easier and less expensive, and also providing a way to easily disassemble the bicycle for compact transportation or storage.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more primary features of the present invention. There are additional features that are also included in the various embodiments of the invention that are described hereinafter and that form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. This invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but the drawings are illustrative only and changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe foregoing summary, as well as the following description, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred aspects, versions and embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred aspects, versions and embodiments, it is to be noted that the aspects, versions and embodiments are not intended to limit the invention to those aspects, versions and embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
One embodiment of a first version of the present invention is illustrated in
It is to be noted that in other embodiments of this first version of the invention the distal frame portion 23 may have other shapes. For example, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in
In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in
In some embodiments of this first version of the invention, as illustrated in
In the embodiment of this first version of the invention illustrated in
In the embodiment of this first version of the invention illustrated in
In the embodiment of the seat assembly illustrated in
As illustrated in
In the embodiment of the rear strut member 60 illustrated in
In the embodiment of the rear strut member illustrated in
In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in
In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in
In addition, in these embodiments, the bottom rear support bracket 62 is threaded on the end thereof that is to be attached to the bottom valve monoblock member 68, with such threads being of a size adapted to be received by the threads of the central cylindrical hole 68a of the bottom valve monoblock member 68a so that an airtight seal is created between such threaded surfaces. In other embodiments of the invention, the bottom rear support bracket 62 may be attached to the bottom valve monoblock member 68 using other monoblock/bottom support bracket attachment means, such as welding, adhesives, glues, epoxies, and other suitable means and combinations of all such means currently known in the art or that may be developed in the art in the future.
One means to assemble the embodiment of the rear strut member illustrated in
The at least one rear strut member 60 thus provides load dampening-type functions for the rear frame member 20 in some embodiments of the invention. In other embodiments, the at least one rear strut member 60 may also provide additional support for the rear frame member 20. In the embodiment of the at least one rear strut member 60 illustrated in
It is to be noted that in other embodiments of this first version of the invention, there may be more than one rear strut member 60. The number of rear strut members to be used depends upon the level of support desired, the performance characteristics of the rear strut members, and the individual taste of the operator of the bicycle. In addition, in other embodiments, the at least one rear strut member 60 may be connected to other portions of the rear frame member 20, such as the downward frame portion 22, the distal frame portion 23, or the top frame portion 24, rather than being connected to the crank assembly 40 and the seat assembly 50. In these embodiments, the means of connecting the at least one rear strut member 60 to the rear frame member 20 may be any means currently known in the art or that may be developed in the art in the future, such as means similar to the means of connecting the seat assembly 50, the crank assembly 40, and the rear wheel assembly 70 to the rear frame member 20, or the at least two front strut members 90, 91 to the front frame member 80, all as described in more detail herein in connection with the embodiment of the first version of the invention illustrated in
In some embodiments of this first version of the invention, as illustrated in
A perspective view of rear wheel clamp member 72 is illustrated in
In some embodiments of this first version of the invention, as illustrated in
In the embodiment of this first version of the invention illustrated in
In some embodiments of this first version of the invention, as illustrated in
In other embodiments of this first version of the invention, as illustrated in
In other embodiments of this first version of the invention, as illustrated in
In the embodiment of this first version of the invention illustrated in
One embodiment of a second version of the present invention is illustrated in
In some embodiments of this second version of the invention, as illustrated in
In the embodiment of the second version of the invention illustrated in
In the embodiment of the second version of the invention illustrated in
In the embodiment of the second version of the invention illustrated in
In the embodiment of the second version of the invention illustrated in
In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in
Claims
1. A bicycle or velocipede frame comprising a rear frame member, the rear frame member being further comprised of:
- (a) a rear frame head portion adapted to be joined to a steering mechanism for the bicycle or velocipede;
- (b) a downward frame portion that extends downwardly and rearwardly from the rear frame head portion to the position of a crank assembly, wherein the downward frame portion transitions to a distal frame portion at the rear distal end of the position of the crank assembly;
- (c) a distal frame portion that extends in a rearward direction from the rear distal end of the position of the crank assembly, wherein the distal frame portion is bifurcated into two rear parallel portions rearward of the position of the crank assembly to permit a rear bicycle wheel to fit between them and the two rear parallel portions extend rearwardly, then rearwardly and upwardly, then forwardly and upwardly, and then forwardly, at which point the two rear parallel portions are joined together into a single portion and extend forwardly to the position of a seat assembly, wherein the distal frame portion transitions to a top frame portion at the forward distal end of the position of the seat assembly; and
- (d) a top frame portion that extends forwardly from the forward distal end of the position of the seat assembly to the rear frame head portion.
2. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 1, wherein the distal frame portion circumscribes approximately an arc.
3. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 1, wherein the two rear parallel portions of the distal frame portion each extend rearwardly and upwardly to a point, from which point each of the two rear parallel portions of the distal frame portion extend upwardly and forwardly to the approximate position of their being joined together, wherein such portions of each of the two rear parallel portions of the distal frame portion form an angle of less than 90 degrees at such point and such portions of each of the two rear parallel portions of the distal frame portions are joined together at such point by distal frame connecting means.
4. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 1, wherein the rear frame head portion, the downward frame portion, the distal frame portion, and the top frame portion are comprised of materials from the group consisting of flexible materials, semi-rigid materials, and combinations of such materials.
5. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 4, wherein the rear frame head portion, the downward frame portion, the distal frame portion, and the top frame portion are each comprised of the group consisting of steel, steel alloys, titanium, aluminum and combinations thereof.
6. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 4, wherein the rear frame head portion, the downward frame portion, the distal frame portion, and the top frame portion are each comprised of a wood laminate.
7. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 4, wherein the rear frame head portion, the downward frame portion, the distal frame portion, and the top frame portion are each comprised of a carbon-based composite material or laminates including a carbon-based composite material.
8. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 1, wherein the downward frame portion, the distal frame portion, and the top frame portion each have a cross section shaped as a circle, an ellipse, an inverted “U”, a square, a rectangle, a parallelogram, a trapezoid, or any combination thereof having one or more concave or convex arched surfaces, or a combination of one or more of all such shapes.
9. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 8, further comprising:
- (a) a rear wheel assembly; and
- (b) rear wheel assembly attachment means to attach the rear wheel assembly to the rearwardly extending portion of the rear parallel portions of the distal frame portion of the rear frame member.
10. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 9, wherein the rear wheel assembly is comprised of:
- (a) at least two rear wheel assembly clamp members;
- (b) rear clamp attachment means to removably attach each of the at least two rear wheel assembly clamp members to a rear parallel portion of the distal frame portion;
- (c) a cylindrical rear wheel axle member having two ends, wherein the rear wheel axle member extends between the at least two rear wheel assembly clamp members;
- (d) rear wheel axle attachment means to connect each end of the rear wheel axle member to one of the at least two rear wheel assembly clamp members;
- (e) a rear bicycle wheel; and
- (f) rear wheel mounting means to rotationally mount the rear bicycle wheel on the rear wheel axle member.
11. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 10, wherein the at least two rear wheel clamp members are each comprised of:
- (a) a rear wheel assembly outer plate, comprised of: (i) a first outer vertical plate portion having a flat surface; (ii) a second outer vertical plate portion having a flat surface parallel to the first outer vertical plate portion; and (iii) a horizontal outer plate portion extending perpendicular from the flat surface at one end of the first outer vertical plate portion to the flat surface at one end of the second outer vertical plate portion creating an approximately U-shaped member, wherein the interior surface of the outer horizontal plate portion is flat; and
- (b) a rear wheel assembly inner plate, which is comprised of: (i) an inner vertical plate portion having a flat surface; and (ii) a horizontal inner plate portion extending perpendicular from the flat surface at one end of the first inner vertical plate portion creating an approximately L-shaped member, wherein the exterior surface of the horizontal inner plate portion is flat;
- (c) rear wheel clamp attachment means to connect the rear wheel assembly outer plate to the rear wheel assembly inner plate;
- (d) wherein the flat surface of the first outer vertical plate portion is placed adjacent to the flat surface of the inner vertical plate portion and the rear clamp attachment means is comprised of the flat interior surface of the horizontal outer plate portion and the flat exterior surface of the horizontal inner plate being placed adjacent to the rear parallel portion of the distal frame portion to which the rear wheel clamp member is removably attached so that the rear parallel portion is held in place relative to the rear wheel clamp member by the rear wheel assembly inner plate and the rear wheel assembly outer plate.
12. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 11, wherein each rear parallel portion of the distal frame portion further comprises at least one pin and the rear wheel assembly clamp member further comprises at least one hole, wherein there is at least one hole for each at least one pin, and each at least one pin is inserted into one at least one hole to hold the rear wheel assembly in place relative to the rear parallel portion.
13. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 11, wherein the rear wheel assembly clamp member further comprises at least one pin and the portion of each rear parallel portion of the distal frame portion further comprises at least one hole, wherein there is at least one hole for each at least one pin, and each at least one pin is inserted into one at least one hole to hold the rear wheel assembly in place relative to the rear parallel portion.
14. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 10, wherein the rear frame member further comprises:
- (a) at least one disc brake member; and
- (b) disc brake attachment means to attach the at least one disc brake member to the rear wheel assembly.
15. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 10, wherein the rear wheel assembly further comprises:
- (a) a gear drive member;
- (b) gear drive attachment means to attach the gear drive member to the rear bicycle wheel;
- (c) a chain drive member; and
- (d) rear chain drive member attachment means to attach the chain drive member to the gear drive member.
16. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 15, wherein the gear drive member is comprised of at least two gear members and the rear wheel assembly further comprises:
- (a) a derailleur member to move the chain drive member from one of the at least two gear members to any other of the at least two gear members;
- (b) derailleur attachment means to attach the derailleur member to one of the at least two rear wheel assembly clamp members;
- (c) a derailleur control member to control the operation of the derailleur; and
- (d) derailleur control attachment means to attach the derailleur control member to the derailleur member.
17. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 8, wherein the rear frame member further comprises:
- (a) a seat assembly; and
- (b) seat assembly attachment means to attach the seat assembly to the rear frame member at the position of the seat assembly on the forwardly extending portion of the distal frame portion of the rear frame member.
18. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 17, wherein the seat assembly is comprised of:
- (a) an outer bracket member, wherein the outer bracket member is approximately U-shaped and the internal horizontal surface of the outer bracket member is placed adjacent to the top surface of the distal frame portion;
- (b) an inner bracket member, wherein the inner bracket member is approximately U-shaped and the external horizontal surface of the inner bracket member is placed adjacent to the bottom surface of the distal frame portion;
- (c) seat bracket connecting means to connect the outer bracket member to the inner bracket member in a manner so that the portion of the distal frame portion to which the seat assembly is attached is held in place between the outer bracket member and the inner bracket member;
- (d) a seat member; and
- (e) seat member attachment means to attach the seat member to the outer bracket member.
19. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 18, wherein:
- (a) the seat member is comprised of: (i) a seat post comprised of at least two seat rods; (ii) a bicycle seat; and (iii) bicycle seat attachment means to attach the bicycle seat to the seat post in a manner so that the bicycle seat is supported by the seat post; and
- (b) the seat member attachment means is comprised of: (i) at least two seat rod tube members; (ii) seat rod tube attachment means to attach the at least two seat rod tube members to the outer bracket member; and (iii) seat post attachment means to slideably attach the at least two seat rods to the at least two seat rod tube members in a manner so that the seat post is supported by the at least two seat rod tube members.
20. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 8, wherein the rear frame member further comprises:
- (a) a crank assembly; and
- (b) crank assembly attachment means to attach the crank assembly to the rear frame member at the position of the crank assembly on the downward frame portion of the rear frame member.
21. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 20, wherein the crank assembly is comprised of:
- (a) a top crank bracket having an approximately U-shape;
- (b) a cylindrical tubular member; and
- (c) crank tube attachment means to connect the tubular member to the top bracket.
22. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 21, wherein the crank assembly attachment means is comprised of:
- (a) at least two bail members;
- (b) at least one bottom plate; and
- (c) bail attachment means to attach the at least two bail members to the bottom plate;
- (d) wherein the at least two bail members are placed over the tubular member and secured to the bottom plate by the bail attachment means in a manner so that the downward frame portion is held in place relative to the crank assembly between the top crank bracket and the bottom plate.
23. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 22, wherein the downward frame portion further comprises at least one pin and the top crank bracket further comprises at least one hole, wherein there is at least one hole for each at least one pin, and each at least one pin is inserted into one at least one hole to hold the crank assembly in place relative to the downward frame portion.
24. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 22, wherein the top crank bracket further comprises at least one pin and the downward frame portion further comprises at least one hole, wherein there is at least one hole for each at least one pin, and each at least one pin is inserted into one at least one hole to hold the crank assembly in place relative to the downward frame portion.
25. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 22, wherein the rear frame member further comprises a strip member and means to attach the strip member to the downward frame portion, wherein the strip member and the surface of the top crank bracket have a pattern of corresponding indentations to hold the crank assembly in place relative to the downward frame portion.
26. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 21, wherein the crank assembly attachment means is comprised of bolts that attach the top bracket to the downward frame portion.
27. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 21, wherein the crank assembly further comprises:
- (a) a gear drive member; and
- (b) gear drive member attachment means to attach the gear drive member to the cylindrical tubular member.
28. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 8, wherein the rear frame member further comprises:
- (a) at least one rear strut member having a top end and a bottom end;
- (b) top rear strut connector means to connect the top end of the at least one rear strut member to approximately the seat assembly; and
- (c) bottom rear strut connector means to connect the bottom end of the at least one rear strut member to approximately the crank assembly.
29. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 28, wherein the top rear strut connector means connects the top end of the at least one rear strut member to the seat assembly.
30. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 28, wherein the bottom rear strut connector means connects the bottom end of the at least one rear strut member to the crank assembly.
31. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 28, wherein the at least one rear strut member is comprised of:
- (a) a piston tube assembly, comprised of: (i) a piston rod member, wherein the top end of the piston rod member is connected to approximately the seat assembly by means of the top rear strut connector means; (ii) a piston tube member; (iii) a top valve monoblock member; (iv) a bottom valve monoblock member; (v) monoblock/piston tube attachment means to attach the top valve monoblock member to the piston tube member and to attach the bottom valve monoblock member to the piston tube member; (vi) bottom strut support member and bottom monoblock/support attachment means to attach the bottom strut support member to the bottom valve monoblock member, wherein the bottom strut support member is connected to approximately the crank assembly by means of the bottom rear strut connector means; (vii) rod guide member and monoblock/guide attachment means to attach the rod guide member to the top valve monoblock member; and
- (b) a strut shroud member covering the piston tube assembly.
32. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 31, wherein the piston tube assembly is operated by means of air pressure.
33. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 1, further comprising:
- (a) a front frame member; and
- (b) frame connection means to pivotally connect the front frame member to the rear frame head portion of the rear frame member.
34. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 33, further comprising:
- (a) a steering member; and
- (b) steering member attachment means to attach the steering member to the front frame member.
35. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 33, wherein:
- (a) the front frame member is further comprised of: (i) a front frame head portion; and (ii) two front parallel portions that extend forwardly from the front frame head portion, then downwardly and forwardly, and then downwardly and rearwardly, circumscribing an arc until the two front parallel portions are extending approximately rearwardly, wherein the two front parallel portions are separated by a distance adequate to permit a front bicycle wheel to fit between them; and
- (b) the frame connection means pivotally connects the front frame head portion of the front frame member to the rear frame head portion of the rear frame member.
36. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 35, wherein the front frame head portion is comprised of:
- (a) a top plate member;
- (b) at least two tubular members;
- (c) a bottom plate member; and
- (d) front head attachment means to attach the top plate member to one end of each of the at least two tubular members and to attach the bottom plate member to the other end of each of the at least two tubular members.
37. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 35, wherein the front frame head portion and the two front parallel portions are comprised of materials from the group consisting of flexible materials, semi-rigid materials, and combinations of such materials.
38. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 37, wherein the front frame head portion and the two front parallel portions are each comprised of the group consisting of steel, steel alloys, titanium, aluminum and combinations thereof.
39. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 37, wherein the front frame head portion and the two front parallel portions are each comprised of a wood laminate.
40. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 37, wherein the front frame head portion and the two front parallel portions are each comprised of a carbon-based composite material and laminates including a carbon-based composite material.
41. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 37, wherein the two front parallel portions each have a cross section shaped as a circle, an ellipse, a square, a rectangle, a parallelogram, a trapezoid, or any combination thereof having one or more concave or convex arched surfaces, or a combination of one or more of all such shapes.
42. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 35, wherein the front frame member further comprises:
- (a) a front wheel assembly; and
- (b) front wheel assembly attachment means to removably attach the front wheel assembly to the rearwardly extending portion of the front parallel portions of the front frame member.
43. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 42, wherein the front wheel assembly is comprised of:
- (a) at least two front wheel assembly clamp members;
- (b) front clamp attachment means to removably attach each of the at least two front wheel assembly clamp members to the rearwardly extending portion of a front parallel portion of the front frame member;
- (c) a cylindrical front wheel axle member having two ends, wherein the front wheel axle member extends between the at least two front wheel assembly clamp members;
- (d) front wheel axle attachment means to connect each end of the front wheel axle member to one of the at least two front wheel assembly clamp members;
- (e) a front bicycle wheel; and
- (f) front wheel mounting means to rotationally mount the front bicycle wheel on the front wheel axle member.
44. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 43, wherein the at least two front wheel clamp members may be removably attached to the approximately rearwardly extending portion of the front parallel portions of the front frame member in more than one position along the longitudinal axis of the approximately rearwardly extending portion of the front parallel portions.
45. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 43, wherein the at least two front wheel clamp members are each comprised of:
- (a) a front wheel assembly outer plate, comprised of: (i) a first outer vertical plate portion having a flat surface; (ii) a second outer vertical plate portion having a flat surface parallel to the first outer vertical plate portion; and (iii) a horizontal outer plate portion extending perpendicular from the flat surface at one end of the first outer vertical plate portion to the flat surface at one end of the second outer vertical plate portion creating an approximately U-shaped member, wherein the interior surface of the outer horizontal plate portion is flat; and
- (b) a front wheel assembly inner plate, which is comprised of: (i) an inner vertical plate portion having a flat surface; and (ii) a horizontal inner plate portion extending perpendicular from the flat surface at one end of the first inner vertical plate portion creating an approximately L-shaped member, wherein the exterior surface of the horizontal inner plate portion is flat;
- (c) front wheel clamp attachment means to connect the front wheel assembly outer plate to the front wheel assembly inner plate;
- (d) wherein the flat surface of the first outer vertical plate portion is placed adjacent to the flat surface of the inner vertical plate portion and the flat interior surface of the horizontal outer plate portion and the rear clamp attachment means is comprised of the flat exterior surface of the horizontal inner plate being placed adjacent to the front parallel portion of the front frame member to which the front wheel clamp member is removably attached so that the front parallel portion is held in place relative to the front wheel clamp member by the front wheel assembly inner plate and the front wheel assembly outer plate.
46. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 43, wherein the each front parallel portion of the front frame member further comprises at least one pin and the front wheel assembly clamp member further comprises at least one hole, wherein there is at least one hole for each at least one pin, and each at least one pin is inserted into one at least one hole to hold the front wheel assembly in place relative to the front parallel portion.
47. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 43, wherein the front wheel assembly clamp member further comprises at least one pin and the each front parallel portion of the front frame member further comprises at least one hole, wherein there is at least one hole for each at least one pin, and each at least one pin is inserted into one at least one hole to hold the front wheel assembly in place relative to the front parallel portion.
48. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 43, wherein the front frame member further comprises:
- (a) at least one disc brake member; and
- (b) disc brake attachment means to operably attach the at least one disc brake member to the front wheel assembly.
49. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 35, wherein the front frame member further comprises:
- (a) at least two front strut members, wherein each of the at least two front strut members has a top end and a bottom end;
- (b) top front strut connector means to connect each top end of the at least two front strut members to the front frame head portion; and
- (c) bottom front strut connector means to connect each bottom end of the at least two front strut members to approximately one of the rearwardly extending front parallel portions;
- (d) wherein each of the at least two front strut members is located on one side of the front bicycle wheel.
50. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 49, wherein each of the at least two front strut members is comprised of:
- (a) a piston tube assembly, comprised of: (i) a piston rod member, wherein the top end of the piston rod member is connected to the front frame head portion using the top front strut connector means; (ii) a piston tube member; (iii) a top valve monoblock member; (iv) a bottom valve monoblock member; (v) monoblock/piston tube attachment means to attach the top valve monoblock member to the piston tube member and to attach the bottom valve monoblock member to the piston tube member; (vi) bottom strut support member and bottom monoblock/support attachment means to attach the bottom strut support member to approximately one of the rearwardly extending front parallel portions the bottom valve monoblock member, wherein the bottom strut support member is connected to approximately one of the rearwardly extending front parallel portions using the bottom front strut connector means; (vii) rod guide member and monoblock/guide attachment means to attach the rod guide member to the top valve monoblock member; and
- (b) a strut shroud member covering the piston tube assembly.
51. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 50, wherein the piston tube assembly is operated by means of air pressure.
52. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 49, further comprising a stabilizing loop member having two ends and loop attachment means to attach each end of the stabilizing loop member to at least one of the at least two front strut members.
53. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 1, further comprising:
- (a) a crank assembly and crank assembly attachment means to attach the crank assembly to the rear frame member at the position of the crank assembly on the downward frame portion of the rear frame member;
- (b) a rear wheel assembly and rear wheel assembly attachment means to attach the rear wheel assembly to the approximately rearwardly extending portion of the rear parallel portions of the distal frame portion of the rear frame member;
- (c) a seat assembly and seat assembly attachment means to attach the seat assembly to the rear frame member at the position of the seat assembly on the forwardly extending portion of the distal frame portion of the rear frame member; and
- (d) at least one rear strut member having a top end and a bottom end, top rear strut connector means to connect the top end of the at least one rear strut member to approximately the seat assembly, and bottom rear strut connector means to connect the bottom end of the at least one rear strut member to approximately the crank assembly.
54. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 53, further comprising:
- (a) a front frame member, wherein the front frame member is further comprised of: (i) a front frame head portion; and (ii) two front parallel portions that extend forwardly from the front frame head portion, then downwardly and forwardly, and then downwardly and rearwardly, circumscribing an arc until the two front parallel portions are extending approximately rearwardly, wherein the two front parallel portions are separated by a distance adequate to permit a front bicycle wheel to fit between them; and (iii) frame connection means to pivotally connect the front frame head portion of the front frame member to the rear frame head portion of the rear frame member;
- (b) a steering member and steering member attachment means to attach the steering member to the front frame head portion of the front frame member;
- (c) a front wheel assembly and front wheel assembly attachment means to removably attach the front wheel assembly to the approximately rearwardly extending portion of the front parallel portions of the front frame member; and
- (d) at least two front strut members, wherein each of the at least two front strut members has a top end and a bottom end, and wherein each of the at least two front strut members is located on one side of the front bicycle wheel, and wherein the at least two front strut members further comprise: (i) top front strut connector means to connect each top end of the at least two front strut members to the front frame head portion; and (ii) bottom front strut connector means to connect each bottom end of the at least two front strut members to approximately one of the rearwardly extending front parallel portions.
55. A bicycle or velocipede frame comprising a rear frame member, the rear frame member being further comprised of:
- (a) a rear frame head portion adapted to be joined to a steering mechanism for the bicycle or velocipede;
- (b) a downward frame portion that extends downwardly and rearwardly from the rear frame head portion to the position of a crank assembly, wherein the downward frame portion transitions to a distal frame portion at the rear distal end of the position of the crank assembly;
- (c) a distal frame portion that extends in a rearwardly direction from the rear distal end of the position of the crank assembly, wherein the distal frame portion is bifurcated into two rear parallel portions rearward of the distal end of the position of the crank assembly to permit a rear bicycle wheel to fit between them;
- (d) a rising frame portion that extends from approximately the position of the crank assembly upwardly and forwardly and then upwardly and rearwardly circumscribing an arc until the rising frame portion is extended to the approximate position of a seat assembly; and
- (e) a top frame portion that extends approximately rearwardly from the rear frame head portion to a point rearward of the position of the seat assembly, wherein the top frame portion and the rising frame portion join at approximately the position of the seat assembly and the top frame portion and the rising frame portion form an angle of less than 90 degrees at such position.
56. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 55, wherein the rear frame head portion, the downward frame portion, the distal frame portion, the rising frame portion, and the top frame portion are comprised of materials from the group consisting of flexible materials, semi-rigid materials, and combinations of such materials.
57. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 56, wherein the rear frame head portion, the downward frame portion, the distal frame portion, the rising frame portion, and the top frame portion are each comprised of the group consisting of steel, steel alloys, titanium, aluminum and combinations thereof.
58. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 56, wherein the rear frame head portion, the downward frame portion, the distal frame portion, the rising frame portion, and the top frame portion are each comprised of a wood laminate.
59. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 56, wherein the rear frame head portion, the downward frame portion, the distal frame portion, the rising frame portion, and the top frame portion are each comprised of a carbon-based composite material or laminates including a carbon-based composite material.
60. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 55, wherein the downward frame portion, the distal frame portion, the rising frame portion, and the top frame portion each have a cross section shaped as a “U”, a circle, an ellipse, a square, a rectangle, a parallelogram, a trapezoid, or any combination thereof having one or more concave or convex arched surfaces, or a combination of one or more of all such shapes.
61. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 60, further comprising:
- (a) a rear wheel assembly; and
- (b) rear wheel assembly attachment means to attach the rear wheel assembly to the rearwardly extending portion of the rear parallel portions of the distal frame portion of the rear frame member.
62. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 61, wherein the rear wheel assembly is comprised of:
- (a) at least two rear wheel assembly clamp members;
- (b) rear clamp attachment means to removably attach each of the at least two rear wheel assembly clamp members to a rear parallel portion of the distal frame portion;
- (c) a cylindrical rear wheel axle member having two ends, wherein the rear wheel axle member extends between the at least two rear wheel assembly clamp members;
- (d) rear wheel axle attachment means to connect each end of the rear wheel axle member to one of the at least two rear wheel assembly clamp members;
- (e) a rear bicycle wheel; and
- (f) rear wheel mounting means to rotationally mount the rear bicycle wheel on the rear wheel axle member.
63. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 62, wherein the at least two rear wheel clamp members are each comprised of:
- (a) a rear wheel assembly outer plate, comprised of: (i) a first outer vertical plate portion having a flat surface; (ii) a second outer vertical plate portion having a flat surface parallel to the first outer vertical plate portion; and (iii) a horizontal outer plate portion extending perpendicular from the flat surface at one end of the first outer vertical plate portion to the flat surface at one end of the second outer vertical plate portion creating an approximately U-shaped member, wherein the interior surface of the outer horizontal plate portion is flat; and
- (b) a rear wheel assembly inner plate, which is comprised of: (i) an inner vertical plate portion having a flat surface; and (ii) a horizontal inner plate portion extending perpendicular from the flat surface at one end of the first inner vertical plate portion creating an approximately L-shaped member, wherein the exterior surface of the horizontal inner plate portion is flat;
- (c) rear wheel clamp attachment means to connect the rear wheel assembly outer plate to the rear wheel assembly inner plate;
- (d) wherein the flat surface of the first outer vertical plate portion is placed adjacent to the flat surface of the inner vertical plate portion and the rear clamp attachment means is comprised of the flat interior surface of the horizontal outer plate portion and the flat exterior surface of the horizontal inner plate being placed adjacent to the rear parallel portion of the distal frame portion to which the rear wheel clamp member is removably attached so that the rear parallel portion is held in place relative to the rear wheel clamp member by the rear wheel assembly inner plate and the rear wheel assembly outer plate.
64. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 62, wherein each rear parallel portion of the distal frame portion further comprises at least one pin and the rear wheel assembly clamp member further comprises at least one hole, wherein there is at least one hole for each at least one pin, and each at least one pin is inserted into one at least one hole to hold the rear wheel assembly in place relative to the rear parallel portion.
65. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 62, wherein the rear wheel assembly clamp member further comprises at least one pin and the portion of each rear parallel portion of the distal frame portion further comprises at least one hole, wherein there is at least one hole for each at least one pin, and each at least one pin is inserted into one at least one hole to hold the rear wheel assembly in place relative to the rear parallel portion.
66. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 61, wherein the rear frame member further comprises:
- (a) at least one disc brake member; and
- (b) disc brake attachment means to attach the at least one disc brake member to the rear wheel assembly.
67. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 61, wherein the rear wheel assembly further comprises:
- (a) a gear drive member;
- (b) gear drive attachment means to attach the gear drive member to the rear bicycle wheel;
- (c) a chain drive member; and
- (d) rear chain drive member attachment means to attach the chain drive member to the gear drive member.
68. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 67, wherein the gear drive member is comprised of at least two gear members and the rear wheel assembly further comprises:
- (a) a derailleur member to move the chain drive member from one of the at least two gear members to any other of the at least two gear members;
- (b) derailleur attachment means to attach the derailleur member to one of the at least two rear wheel assembly clamp members;
- (c) a derailleur control member to control the operation of the derailleur; and
- (d) derailleur control attachment means to attach the derailleur control member to the derailleur member.
69. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 60, wherein the rear frame member further comprises:
- (a) a seat assembly; and
- (b) seat assembly attachment means to attach the seat assembly to the rear frame member at the position of the seat assembly on the rearwardly extending portion of the top frame portion of the rear frame member.
70. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 69, wherein the seat assembly is comprised of:
- (a) an outer bracket member, wherein the outer bracket member is approximately U-shaped and the internal horizontal surface of the outer bracket member is placed adjacent to the top surface of the top frame portion;
- (b) an inner bracket member, wherein the inner bracket member is approximately U-shaped and the external horizontal surface of the inner bracket member is placed adjacent to the bottom surface of the top frame portion;
- (c) seat bracket connecting means to connect the outer bracket member to the inner bracket member in a manner so that the portion of the top frame portion to which the seat assembly is attached is held in place between the outer bracket member and the inner bracket member;
- (d) a seat member; and
- (e) seat member attachment means to attach the seat member to the outer bracket member.
71. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 70, wherein:
- (a) the seat member is comprised of: (i) a seat post comprised of at least two seat rods; (ii) a bicycle seat; and (iii) bicycle seat attachment means to attach the bicycle seat to the seat post in a manner so that the bicycle seat is supported by the seat post; and
- (b) the seat member attachment means is comprised of: (i) at least two seat rod tube members; (ii) seat rod tube attachment means to attach the at least two seat rod tube members to the outer bracket member; and (iii) seat post attachment means to slideably attach the at least two seat rods to the at least two seat rod tube members in a manner so that the seat post is supported by the at least two seat rod tube members.
72. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 60, wherein the rear frame member further comprises:
- (a) a crank assembly; and
- (b) crank assembly attachment means to attach the crank assembly to the rear frame member at the position of the crank assembly on the downward frame portion of the rear frame member.
73. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 72, wherein the crank assembly is comprised of:
- (a) a top crank bracket having an approximately U-shape;
- (b) a cylindrical tubular member; and
- (c) crank tube attachment means to connect the tubular member to the top bracket.
74. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 73, wherein the crank assembly attachment means is comprised of:
- (a) at least two bail members;
- (b) at least one bottom plate; and
- (c) bail attachment means to attach the at least two bail members to the bottom plate;
- (d) wherein the at least two bail members are placed over the tubular member and secured to the bottom plate by the bail attachment means in a manner so that the downward frame portion is held in place relative to the crank assembly between the top crank bracket and the bottom plate.
75. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 74, wherein the downward frame portion further comprises at least one pin and the top crank bracket further comprises at least one hole, wherein there is at least one hole for each at least one pin, and each at least one pin is inserted into one at least one hole to hold the crank assembly in place relative to the downward frame portion.
76. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 73, wherein the top crank bracket further comprises at least one pin and the downward frame portion further comprises at least one hole, wherein there is at least one hole for each at least one pin, and each at least one pin is inserted into one at least one hole to hold the crank assembly in place relative to the downward frame portion.
77. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 73, wherein the rear frame member further comprises a strip member and means to attach the strip member to the downward frame portion, wherein the strip member and the surface of the top crank bracket have a pattern of corresponding indentations to hold the crank assembly in place relative to the downward frame portion.
78. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 73, wherein the crank assembly attachment means is comprised of bolts that attach the top crank bracket to the downward frame portion.
79. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 72, wherein the crank assembly further comprises:
- (a) a gear drive member; and
- (b) gear drive member attachment means to attach the gear drive member to the cylindrical tubular member.
80. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 60, wherein the rear frame member further comprises:
- (a) at least two rear strut members, wherein each of the at least two rear strut members has a top end and a bottom end;
- (b) top rear strut connector means to connect the top end of each of the at least two rear strut members to approximately the seat assembly; and
- (c) bottom rear strut connector means to connect the bottom end of each of the at least two rear strut members to approximately the rear wheel assembly;
- (d) wherein each of the at least two front strut members is located on one side of the rear bicycle wheel.
81. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 80, wherein the top rear strut connector means connects the top end of each of the at least two rear strut members to the seat assembly.
82. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 80, wherein the bottom rear strut connector means connects the bottom end of each of the at least two rear strut members to the rear wheel assembly.
83. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 80, wherein the at least one rear strut member is comprised of:
- (a) a piston tube assembly, comprised of: (i) a piston rod member, wherein the top end of the piston rod member is connected to approximately the seat assembly using the top rear strut connector means; (ii) a piston tube member; (iii) a top valve monoblock member; (iv) a bottom valve monoblock member; (v) monoblock/piston tube attachment means to attach the top valve monoblock member to the piston tube member and to attach the bottom valve monoblock member to the piston tube member; (vi) bottom strut support member and bottom monoblock/support attachment means to attach the bottom strut support member to the bottom valve monoblock member, wherein the bottom strut support member is connected to approximately the rear wheel assembly using the bottom rear strut connector means; (vii) rod guide member and monoblock/guide attachment means to attach the rod guide member to the top valve monoblock member; and
- (b) a strut shroud member covering the piston tube assembly.
84. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 83, wherein the piston tube assembly is operated by means of air pressure.
85. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 80, wherein the rear frame member further comprises a stabilizing loop member having two ends and loop attachment means to attach each end of the stabilizing loop member to at least one of the at least two rear strut members.
86. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 55, further comprising:
- (a) a front frame member; and
- (b) frame connection means to pivotally connect the front frame member to the rear frame head portion of the rear frame member.
87. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 86, further comprising:
- (a) a steering member; and
- (b) steering member attachment means to attach the steering member to the front frame member.
88. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 86, wherein:
- (a) the front frame member is further comprised of: (i) a front frame head portion; and (ii) two front parallel portions that extend forwardly from the front frame head portion, then downwardly and forwardly, and then downwardly and rearwardly, circumscribing an arc until the two front parallel portions are extending approximately rearwardly, wherein the two front parallel portions are separated by a distance adequate to permit a front bicycle wheel to fit between them; and
- (b) the frame connection means pivotally connects the front frame head portion of the front frame member to the rear frame head portion of the rear frame member.
89. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 88, wherein the front frame head portion is comprised of:
- (a) a top plate member;
- (b) at least two tubular members;
- (c) a bottom plate member; and
- (d) front head attachment means to attach the top plate member to one end of each of the at least two tubular members and to attach the bottom plate member to the other end of each of the at least two tubular members.
90. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 88, wherein the front frame head portion and the two front parallel portions are comprised of materials from the group consisting of flexible materials, semi-rigid materials, and combinations of such materials.
91. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 90, wherein the front frame head portion and the two front parallel portions are each comprised of the group consisting of steel, steel alloys, titanium, aluminum and combinations thereof.
92. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 90, wherein the front frame head portion and the two front parallel portions are each comprised of a wood laminate.
93. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 90, wherein the front frame head portion and the two front parallel portions are each comprised of a carbon-based composite material or laminates including a carbon-based composite material.
94. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 90, wherein the two front parallel portions each have a cross section shaped as a square, a rectangle, a parallelogram, a trapezoid, or any combination thereof having one or more concave or convex arched surfaces, or a combination of one or more of all such shapes.
95. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 88, wherein the front frame member further comprises:
- (a) a front wheel assembly; and
- (b) front wheel assembly attachment means to removably attach the front wheel assembly to the rearwardly extending portion of the front parallel portions of the front frame member.
96. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 95, wherein the front wheel assembly is comprised of:
- (a) at least two front wheel assembly clamp members;
- (b) front clamp attachment means to removably attach each of the at least two front wheel assembly clamp members to the rearwardly extending portion of a front parallel portion of the front frame member;
- (c) a cylindrical front wheel axle member having two ends, wherein the front wheel axle member extends between the at least two front wheel assembly clamp members;
- (d) front wheel axle attachment means to connect each end of the front wheel axle member to one of the at least two front wheel assembly clamp members;
- (e) a front bicycle wheel; and
- (f) front wheel mounting means to rotationally mount the front bicycle wheel on the front wheel axle member.
97. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 96, wherein the at least two front wheel clamp members are each comprised of:
- (a) a front wheel assembly outer plate, comprised of: (i) a first outer vertical plate portion having a flat surface; (ii) a second outer vertical plate portion having a flat surface parallel to the first outer vertical plate portion; and (iii) a horizontal outer plate portion extending perpendicular from the flat surface at one end of the first outer vertical plate portion to the flat surface at one end of the second outer vertical plate portion creating an approximately U-shaped member, wherein the interior surface of the outer horizontal plate portion is flat; and
- (b) a front wheel assembly inner plate, which is comprised of: (i) an inner vertical plate portion having a flat surface; and (ii) a horizontal inner plate portion extending perpendicular from the flat surface at one end of the first inner vertical plate portion creating an approximately L-shaped member, wherein the exterior surface of the horizontal inner plate portion is flat;
- (c) front wheel clamp attachment means to connect the front wheel assembly outer plate to the front wheel assembly inner plate;
- (d) wherein the flat surface of the first outer vertical plate portion is placed adjacent to the flat surface of the inner vertical plate portion and the flat interior surface of the horizontal outer plate portion and the rear clamp attachment means is comprised of the flat exterior surface of the horizontal inner plate being placed adjacent to the front parallel portion of the front frame member to which the front wheel clamp member is removably attached so that the front parallel portion is held in place relative to the front wheel clamp member by the front wheel assembly inner plate and the front wheel assembly outer plate.
98. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 96, wherein the each front parallel portion of the front frame member further comprises at least one pin and the front wheel assembly clamp member further comprises at least one hole, wherein there is at least one hole for each at least one pin, and each at least one pin is inserted into one at least one hole to hold the front wheel assembly in place relative to the front parallel portion.
99. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 96, wherein the front wheel assembly clamp member further comprises at least one pin and the each front parallel portion of the front frame member further comprises at least one hole, wherein there is at least one hole for each at least one pin, and each at least one pin is inserted into one at least one hole to hold the front wheel assembly in place relative to the front parallel portion.
100. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 95, wherein the front frame member further comprises:
- (a) at least one disc brake member; and
- (b) disc brake attachment means to operably attach the at least one disc brake member to the front wheel assembly.
101. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 88, wherein the front frame member further comprises:
- (a) at least two front strut members, wherein each of the at least two front strut members has a top end and a bottom end;
- (b) top front strut connector means to connect each top end of the at least two front strut members to the front frame head portion; and
- (c) bottom front strut connector means to connect each bottom end of the at least two front strut members to approximately one of the rearwardly extending front parallel portions, wherein the bottom strut support member is connected to approximately one of the rearwardly extending front parallel portions using the bottom front strut connector means;
- (d) wherein each of the at least two front strut members is located on one side of the front bicycle wheel.
102. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 101, wherein each of the at least two front strut members is comprised of:
- (a) a piston tube assembly, comprised of: (i) a piston rod member, wherein the top end of the piston rod member is connected to the front frame head portion using the top front strut connector means; (ii) a piston tube member; (iii) a top valve monoblock member; (iv) a bottom valve monoblock member; (v) monoblock/piston tube attachment means to attach the top valve monoblock member to the piston tube member and to attach the bottom valve monoblock member to the piston tube member; (vi) bottom strut support member and bottom monoblock/support attachment means to attach the bottom strut support member to the bottom valve monoblock member; (vii) rod guide member and monoblock/guide attachment means to attach the rod guide member to the top valve monoblock member; and
- (b) a strut shroud member covering the piston tube assembly.
103. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 102, wherein the piston tube assembly is operated by means of air pressure.
104. The bicycle frame of claim 101, further comprising a stabilizing loop member having two ends and loop attachment means to attach each end of the stabilizing loop member to at least one of the at least two front strut members.
105. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 55, further comprising:
- (a) a crank assembly and crank assembly attachment means to attach the crank assembly to the rear frame member at the position of the crank assembly on the downward frame portion of the rear frame member;
- (b) a rear wheel assembly and rear wheel assembly attachment means to attach the rear wheel assembly to the approximately rearwardly extending portion of the rear parallel portions of the distal frame portion of the rear frame member;
- (c) a seat assembly and seat assembly attachment means to attach the seat assembly to the top frame member at the position of the seat assembly; and
- (d) at least two rear strut members, wherein each of the at least two rear strut members has a top end and a bottom end, and wherein each of the at least two front strut members is located on one side of the rear bicycle wheel, and wherein the at least two rear strut members are further comprised of: (i) top rear strut connector means to connect the top end of each of the at least two rear strut members to approximately the seat assembly; and (ii) bottom rear strut connector means to connect the bottom end of each of the at least two rear strut members to approximately the rear wheel assembly.
106. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 105, further comprising:
- (a) a front frame member, wherein the front frame member is further comprised of: (i) a front frame head portion; and (ii) two front parallel portions that extend forwardly from the front frame head portion, then downwardly and forwardly, and then downwardly and rearwardly, circumscribing an arc until the two front parallel portions are extending approximately rearwardly, wherein the two front parallel portions are separated by a distance adequate to permit a front bicycle wheel to fit between them; and (iii) frame connection means to pivotally connect the front frame head portion of the front frame member to the rear frame head portion of the rear frame member;
- (b) a steering member and steering member attachment means to attach the steering member to the front frame head portion of the front frame member;
- (c) a front wheel assembly and front wheel assembly attachment means to removably attach the front wheel assembly to the approximately rearwardly extending portion of the front parallel portions of the front frame member; and
- (d) at least two front strut members, wherein the each of the at least two front strut members has a top end and a bottom end, and wherein each of the at least two front strut members is located on one side of the front bicycle wheel, and wherein the at least two front strut members further comprise: (i) top front strut connector means to connect each top end of the at least two front strut members to the front frame head portion; and (ii) bottom front strut connector means to connect each bottom end of the at least two front strut members to approximately one of the approximately rearwardly extending front parallel portions.
107. A bicycle or velocipede frame comprising a front frame member, wherein the front frame member is further comprised of:
- (a) a front frame head portion; and
- (b) two front parallel portions that extend forwardly from the front frame head portion, then downwardly and forwardly, and then downwardly and rearwardly, circumscribing an arc until the two front parallel portions are extending approximately rearwardly, wherein the two front parallel portions are separated by a distance adequate to permit a front bicycle wheel to fit between them.
108. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 107, wherein the front frame head portion is comprised of:
- (a) a top plate member;
- (b) at least two tubular members;
- (c) a bottom plate member; and
- (d) front head attachment means to attach the top plate member to one end of each of the at least two tubular members and to attach the bottom plate member to the other end of each of the at least two tubular members.
109. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 107, wherein the front frame head portion and the two front parallel portions are comprised of materials from the group consisting of flexible materials, semi-rigid materials, and combinations of such materials.
110. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 109, wherein the front frame head portion and the two front parallel portions are each comprised of the group consisting of steel, steel alloys, titanium, aluminum and combinations thereof.
111. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 109, wherein the front frame head portion and the two front parallel portions are each comprised of a wood laminate.
112. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 109, wherein the front frame head portion and the two front parallel portions are each comprised of a carbon-based composite material or laminates that include a carbon-based composite material.
113. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 109, wherein the two front parallel portions each have a cross section shaped as a circle, an ellipse, a square, a rectangle, a parallelogram, a trapezoid, or any combination thereof having one or more concave or convex arched surfaces, or a combination of one or more of all such shapes.
114. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 107, wherein the front frame member further comprises:
- (a) a front wheel assembly; and
- (b) front wheel assembly attachment means to removably attach the front wheel assembly to the rearwardly extending portion of the front parallel portions of the front frame member.
115. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 113, wherein the front wheel assembly is comprised of:
- (a) at least two front wheel assembly clamp members;
- (b) front clamp attachment means to removably attach each of the at least two front wheel assembly clamp members to the rearwardly extending portion of a front parallel portion of the front frame member;
- (c) a cylindrical front wheel axle member having two ends, wherein the front wheel axle member extends between the at least two front wheel assembly clamp members;
- (d) front wheel axle attachment means to connect each end of the front wheel axle member to one of the at least two front wheel assembly clamp members;
- (e) a front bicycle wheel; and
- (f) front wheel mounting means to rotationally mount the front bicycle wheel on the front wheel axle member.
116. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 115, wherein the at least two front wheel clamp members may be removably attached to the approximately rearwardly extending portion of the front parallel portions of the front frame member in more than one position along the longitudinal axis of the approximately rearwardly extending portion of the front parallel portions.
117. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 115, wherein the at least two front wheel clamp members are each comprised of:
- (a) a front wheel assembly outer plate, comprised of: (i) a first outer vertical plate portion having a flat surface; (ii) a second outer vertical plate portion having a flat surface parallel to the first outer vertical plate portion; and (iii) a horizontal outer plate portion extending perpendicular from the flat surface at one end of the first outer vertical plate portion to the flat surface at one end of the second outer vertical plate portion creating an approximately U-shaped member, wherein the interior surface of the outer horizontal plate portion is flat; and
- (b) a front wheel assembly inner plate, which is comprised of: (i) an inner vertical plate portion having a flat surface; and (ii) a horizontal inner plate portion extending perpendicular from the flat surface at one end of the first inner vertical plate portion creating an approximately L-shaped member, wherein the exterior surface of the horizontal inner plate portion is flat;
- (c) front wheel clamp attachment means to connect the front wheel assembly outer plate to the front wheel assembly inner plate;
- (d) wherein the flat surface of the first outer vertical plate portion is placed adjacent to the flat surface of the inner vertical plate portion and the flat interior surface of the horizontal outer plate portion and the rear clamp attachment means is comprised of the flat exterior surface of the horizontal inner plate being placed adjacent to the front parallel portion of the front frame member to which the front wheel clamp member is removably attached so that the front parallel portion is held in place relative to the front wheel clamp member by the front wheel assembly inner plate and the front wheel assembly outer plate.
118. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 115, wherein the each front parallel portion of the front frame member further comprises at least one pin and the front wheel assembly clamp member further comprises at least one hole, wherein there is at least one hole for each at least one pin, and each at least one pin is inserted into one at least one hole to hold the front wheel assembly in place relative to the front parallel portion.
119. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 115, wherein the front wheel assembly clamp member further comprises at least one pin and the each front parallel portion of the front frame member further comprises at least one hole, wherein there is at least one hole for each at least one pin, and each at least one pin is inserted into one at least one hole to hold the front wheel assembly in place relative to the front parallel portion.
120. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 114, wherein the front frame member further comprises:
- (a) at least one disc brake member; and
- (b) disc brake attachment means to operably attach the at least one disc brake member to the front wheel assembly.
121. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 107, wherein the front frame member further comprises:
- (a) at least two front strut members, wherein each of the at least two front strut members has a top end and a bottom end;
- (b) top front strut connector means to connect each top end of the at least two front strut members to the front frame head portion; and
- (c) bottom front strut connector means to connect each bottom end of the at least two front strut members to approximately one of the rearwardly extending front parallel portions;
- (d) wherein each of the at least two front strut members is located on one side of the front bicycle wheel.
122. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 121, wherein each of the at least two front strut members is comprised of:
- (a) a piston tube assembly, comprised of: (i) a piston rod member, wherein the top end of the piston rod member is connected to the front frame head portion using the top front strut connector means; (ii) a piston tube member; (iii) a top valve monoblock member; (iv) a bottom valve monoblock member; (v) monoblock/piston tube attachment means to attach the top valve monoblock member to the piston tube member and to attach the bottom valve monoblock member to the piston tube member; (vi) bottom strut support member and bottom monoblock/support attachment means to attach the bottom strut support member to the bottom valve monoblock member, wherein the bottom strut support member is connected to approximately one of the approximately rearwardly extending front parallel portions using the bottom front strut connector means; (vii) rod guide member and monoblock/guide attachment means to attach the rod guide member to the top valve monoblock member; and
- (b) a strut shroud member covering the piston tube assembly.
123. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 122, wherein the piston tube assembly is operated by means of air pressure.
124. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 121, further comprising a stabilizing loop member having two ends and loop attachment means to attach each end of the stabilizing loop member to at least one of the at least two front strut members.
125. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 107, further comprising:
- (a) a rear frame member; and
- (b) frame connection means to pivotally connect the front frame head portion of the front frame member to the rear frame member.
126. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 125, further comprising:
- (a) a steering member; and
- (b) steering member attachment means to attach the steering member to the front frame member.
127. The bicycle or velocipede frame of claim 107, further comprising:
- (a) a steering member and steering member attachment means to attach the steering member to the front frame head portion of the front frame member;
- (b) a front wheel assembly and front wheel assembly attachment means to removably attach the front wheel assembly to the approximately rearwardly extending portion of the front parallel portions of the front frame member; and
- (c) at least two front strut members, wherein the each of the at least two front strut members has a top end and a bottom end, and wherein each of the at least two front strut members is located on one side of the front bicycle wheel, and wherein the at least two front strut members further comprise: (i) top front strut connector means to connect each top end of the at least two front strut members to the front frame head portion; and (ii) bottom front strut connector means to connect each bottom end of the at least two front strut members to approximately one of the approximately rearwardly extending front parallel portions.
128. A strut assembly for providing support for a bicycle or velocipede frame, the strut assembly comprising:
- (a) a piston tube assembly, comprised of: (i) a piston rod member; (ii) a piston tube member; (iii) a top valve monoblock member; (iv) a bottom valve monoblock member; (v) monoblock/piston tube attachment means to attach the top valve monoblock member to the piston tube member and to attach the bottom valve monoblock member to the piston tube member; (vi) bottom strut support member and bottom monoblock/support attachment means to attach the bottom strut support member to the bottom valve monoblock member; (vii) rod guide member and monoblock/guide attachment means to attach the rod guide member to the top valve monoblock member; and
- (b) a strut shroud member covering the piston tube assembly.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 27, 2004
Publication Date: Jun 29, 2006
Patent Grant number: 7533895
Inventor: Bentley Beal (Oceanside, CA)
Application Number: 11/022,606
International Classification: B62K 21/00 (20060101);